Tesla launches Cybercab robotaxi rides in Austin
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Tesla's expanding robotaxi footprint is sending ripples through the rideshare market, and Uber shareholders are absorbing the hit even though Uber's own results gave them no reason to sell.
After launching in Austin, Texas, last week, Tesla is looking to expand the Cybercab to new parts of the United States in an effort that will see the driverless, steering wheel-less, and pedal-less vehicle chauffeur people around as part of the Robotaxi ride-hailing service.
A Tesla Cybercab rider found a hidden touchscreen joystick for manual driving, even though Tesla built the robotaxi with no steering wheel or pedals.
Elon Musk’s electric-vehicle company is holding a launch event for the Cybercab autonomous vehicle on Thursday, but details have been sparse.
Tesla Cybercab might have just rolled out to the public as it entered the company’s Robotaxi suite in Austin this past week. However, the vehicle might already be on its way to becoming even better, as the company is asking riders to describe what they’d like to see improved with the Cybercab.
Tesla, Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA) has started offering paid rides in its new Cybercab robotaxi on a limited basis in Austin, Texas.
The golden, butterfly-door Cybercab embodies Musk’s strategy of betting the company on self-driving software and robotics. That bet has pushed its stock valuation to $1.4-trillion (R22.36-trillion), more than the top several global carmakers combined.
While the company stresses the tour does not signal the vehicle will be sold in China, some observers believe it could still bolster the brand’s position.